Thursday, May 28, 2009

My 16 year old came in from school and didn’t say a word. Then at 4 o’clock she tells me the Algebra teacher would not let them use the calculator on the Final. The calculators were getting stolen. Every year we go through this. Everyone knows she has to use a calculator. It is critical for students with Aspergers to use their accommodations and to use them consistently. This is so important for their success in school and out of school.

Anyway I luckily got the principal at 4pm. He said to come in the first thing in the morning and she would be able to retake it with the calculator. The present principal was the vice principal and really worked with me when the 20 year old was at this high school. He is also more than helpful with the 16 year old. Building relationships before you need them is another technique which can save time and in the long run money.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

My 20 year old has started having unacceptable behavior again. She is trying to open the car door when the car is moving and having little tantrums. She doesn’t do it with me but does with the staff. I guess it is time to take out the behavior plan again and dust it off. It is always such a struggle to get the PCA’s (Personal Care Attendant) to do it all consistently and of course myself to do it too. Just a frustrating day….

Friday, May 22, 2009

14. A lot of sensory integration toys can be bought at the ‘Everything Is a Buck’ store or a similar store in your area for – a dollar. Toys that light up, make sounds, or have the ‘spaghetti’ feel to them. Do a little research on the internet and then go see what you can find with similar characteristics.

15. Talk to other families with an upbeat attitude about autism. Avoid parents who have the ‘it just gets worse mentality’. Autism is but one characteristic of your child.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

11. Avoid autism toys that say therapy on it. Usually you can buy the same exact thing at a much cheaper price by surfing www.amazon.com.

12. Indoor hammocks, mini trampolines and rocking chairs could be purchased on www.ebay.com cheap or gotten for free from www.freecycle.org.

13. Homemade play dough can be used in sensory activities, and egg-less cookie dough can also be used if they put play dough in their mouth. It’s cheaper than therapy play dough and better for your child if they put it in their mouth.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Yes, I know it is taking me a while to get this together. I will be more diligent about it...

6. Avoid surfing the Internet too much. There is a lot of misinformation on the web. Nothing you did or didn't do caused your child's autism. You are not to blame.

7. Use your library before deciding which books go into your home. Check with local disability organizations like Families Helping Families to see if they have free lending libraries. Some books are by parents whose children really had much milder autism than they realized and some books are very negative.

8. "1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders" by Veronica Zysk and Ellen Notbohm is great. This book is a surprisingly thin book for all the wealth of information it has. The book has loads of budget sensory therapy ideas and more.

9. If your child can read, you can spend hundreds of dollars on specially made social stories orwww.frsd.k12.nj.us/autistic/Parent%20Training/social_stories%20notes.htmexplains how to make them for free.

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About Me

I have five adult children. I also have five grandchildren and one on the way. Two of my children have Autism Spectrum Disorders. Two of my grandchildren have disabilities. I split my time between loving God and my family, autism and disability work, and selling Avon.